It's official! Dreamgirls to open at the Savoy Theatre later this year

It has been confirmed that Dreamgirls will open in the West End this year!

The musical is set to make its UK premiere at the Savoy Theatre in December with previews from November. 

The Book of Mormon's Casey Nicholaw will direct and choreograph the production. Dreamgirls opened on Broadway in 1981 and was later adapted into a hugely successful film; however, the musical has never made it to the West End... until now.

Glee's Amber Riley will star as Effie White in the West End production. Jennifer Holliday originated the role on Broadway whilst Jennifer Hudson played the role in the movie.

Riley says: “I am so honoured and excited to not only be playing such an iconic role, but also to be working with Sonia Friedman and Casey Nicholaw. Working on the West End is now a dream realised, I just feel like this is going to be something special!”

Nicholaw says: “I am beyond thrilled to be directing and choreographing Dreamgirls in the West End. It was one of the first shows I saw when I moved to New York in 1982 and has been my favourite show ever since. We've begun to assemble a terrific cast of actors here in the UK. We also have a terrific design team lined up - it's going to be a smart and sexy production. I'm so excited about working with Amber. I loved her on Glee and when her name came up for this, I thought - Wow, I think she could be incredible - and then when she came in to audition for us, she blew us away!”

Producer Sonia Friedman says: "This great, now classic American musical is coming to London at long last, and I couldn’t be more excited to confirm that Amber Riley will be joining the cast of Dreamgirls for the West End season. This new production will begin performances later this year, directed by the brilliant, multi-award winning Broadway director Casey Nicholaw. Having met Amber and having had the privilege of hearing her sing two of the iconic songs from Dreamgirls: ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ and ‘I Am Changing’ – I was left with goosebumps, tingles and tears; I was completely knocked out by this talented performer. London is very lucky to be the first to see her Effie."

Dreamgirls has book and lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. The original Broadway production, which was directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, won six Tony Awards. The score includes ‘And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going’, ‘I Am Changing’ and ‘One Night Only’.

Inspired by R&B music acts in 1960s America, Dreamgirls transports you to a revolutionary time in American music history.Dreamgirls charts the tumultuous journey of a young female singing trio, from Chicago, Illinois called ‘The Dreams’, as they learn the hard lesson that show business is as tough as it is fabulous.

Tickets will be on sale from spring 2016 when dates of the run will be confirmed.